How to identify Broad bean (Vicia faba)

How to identify Broad bean (Vicia faba)

Broad bean, also known as Horse bean, Field bean

Broad bean is an identifiable annual legume sporting stout, upright stems that can reach a height of up to 6 feet (1.8 meters). The leaves are pinnate with 2 to 6 pairs of leaflets and terminate in a tendril. It produces distinct, zygomorphic flowers that are white with black markings and result in thick, leathery pods ranging from 3 to 8 inches (8 to 20 cm) long, each encasing several round to oval seeds.

Lifespan: Annual, Biennial

Plant Type: Herb, Vine

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Broad bean

Distinct zygomorphic white flowers with black markings

Leaves pinnate with 2-6 leaflets, ending in tendrils

Narrowly oblong fruit pods up to 11 inches long

Coarse, stout stem, hollow and square, reaching 2 feet in height

Fragrant flowers on unbranched racemes with purplish blotch

Detailed Traits of Broad bean

Leaf Features

The leaves of broad bean are pinnate and composed of 2-6 leaflets, each measuring about 4 inches by 1.5 inches (10 cm by 4 cm). They feature conspicuous stipules with toothed margins at the base. The leaflets are elliptical to lanceolate in shape, with a smooth texture and prominent central veins. Their color is typically a vibrant green. The stipules are distinctive for their varying shapes, further aiding in identification.

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Flower Features

The flowers of broad bean are fragrant and arise on unbranched racemes, each stalk bearing between 1 and 6 blossoms. The petals are predominantly white, with the largest, outermost petal featuring a distinctive purplish or brown blotch. Resembling pea blooms, these flowers contribute a pleasant fragrance to their surroundings. Each flower typically spans about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, making them a noticeable and attractive feature in any garden.

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Stem Features

The stem of broad bean is characterized by its coarse, stout, and square structure. Typically hollow, the stem is devoid of branches, giving it a singular and prominent appearance. It exhibits a robust and sturdy texture, ensuring the plant's resilience. The stem usually reaches about 2 feet (60 cm) in height and has a notable, slightly ribbed surface. The color can range from green to light green, contributing to its easy identification and distinction from other plants.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of broad bean is a narrowly oblong, flattened pod that can reach lengths up to 11 inches (28 cm) and encases up to 6 seeds. Each seed is oval, compressed, and measures approximately 0.5 to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 cm) in diameter. The seed colors exhibit a diverse palette, including shades of brown, reddish, and green, adding to the visual identification markers of the fruit.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Broad bean and Their Similar Plants

Common vetch vs. Broad bean: What's The Difference?

Common vetch (Vicia sativa) is an annual herb plant also commonly called vetch, tare, and garden vetch. It is often considered a weed, but is also utilized for manure and animal feed for livestock across the world. When grown for agricultural purposes, it is sown in dense fields.

Hairy vetch vs. Broad bean: What's The Difference?

Hairy vetch is often grown as a cover crop, or to provide forage or fodder for animals. However, use caution when planting and check your local regulations, as this plant is considered an invasive species in many states in the U.S. and several other countries.

Carolina vetch vs. Broad bean: What's The Difference?

Carolina vetch (Vicia caroliniana) is a flowering perennial native to the eastern United States. It is a typical representative of the Legume family, featuring a typical compound leaf and attractive, pollinator-friendly white flower clusters. One might say that carolina vetch looks like a miniature herbaceous version of its woody cousin, the Black locust tree.

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Key Facts About Broad bean

Attributes of Broad bean

Lifespan

Annual, Biennial

Plant Type

Herb, Vine

Plant Height

90 cm

Spread

45 cm

Stem Color

Green

Blue

Black

Red

White

Leaf type

Deciduous

The Toxicity of Broad bean

Slightly Toxic to Humans

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Scientific Classification of Broad bean

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Legumes, milkworts and allies

Family

Legume

Genus

Vetches

Species

Broad bean (Vicia faba)

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Distribution Map of Broad bean

Broad bean is native to Southwest Asia but has been widely introduced to and cultivated in temperate and subtropical regions across multiple continents. Its range extends through Europe, the Americas, Asia, and parts of Africa, thriving in both agricultural and modified habitats as a cultivated species.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Broad bean How to Grow and Care for Broad bean